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Type 1 struggling

Pewdiekry

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I was diagnosed last November and still haven't got the gist of things. Constantly eating loads of sugar filled stuff and not taking my insulin as much as I need too. Meant to do 4 injections a day and I barely do one. Just need someone to help me get in the routine of this whole scary thing.. I dm t know anyone my age with diabetes, none of my friends really understand how serious it is. Would be nice to talk to other diabetics like myself for advice and support. I'm having a lot of trouble coming to terms with it.. Really getting me down.
 
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Hi Pewdiekry,

Diabetes is a shock to most people - at any age. It's so important to maintain your insulin doses, as prescribed. Have you tried speaking to the Nurse specialists within your diabetic clinic? I found mine to be invaluable - much more available to talk to me than the doctors and often far more friendly/approachable!

Also, have you seen a dietician yet to discuss an appropriate diet and how to monitor which foods work for you??

I was only diagnosed a few months ago and started injecting 4 times a day straight away, it's really tough but it can be done. Have you tried talking one on one to a few of your closer friends? Perhaps you could sit with one or two of them and look into diabetes together and learn a little more?!

Good luck with everything!
 
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I've been in your position, I know what it feels like however being diabetic is not all doom and gloom. You'll always be tempted to eat the stuff that your not supposed to, it's your choice to decide whether or not to go for it. Embrace the fact that your diabetic, truly own it. Being diabetic is not something that should be taken lightly, what it comes down to at the end of the day is this is your health, your diagnosis, it's just a case of doing what you have to do in order to enjoy life
And trust me you want to ENJOY life to the MAX!
 
Hi Pewdiekry
I was young ( 14) when diagnosed and it is massive at first and it is a really lonely place to start with ( but it does get easier )
serena's advice about owning it is really true -- i use the word acceptance.
I am tagging some of the younger people on the forum so they will see your thread and hopefully stop by with some support
@Muggins , @becky.ford93 ,@chl0ejasmine , @Signe_Kirk

good luck -- and if want to speak to an oldie about D anytime you can message and I will try my best to help
 

Hi, so sorry to hear you are not coping. There is a thread called Diabetes burnout. I know you are a newbie, but something in there may help you and also there are some teens in this section who could help, advise and most importantly, some new friends who are, or were, in the same position as you, it's good to talk.
Good luck and best wishes RRB
 
Hey Pewdiekry,I'm Signe and I'm 17 I know how you feel... During the last 5 years I've been through some periods where I haven't taken good care of my diabetes but right now it's getting better My friends also had a hard time understanding what diabetes is but I think the most important thing is to be honest with them and tell them exactly how serious and annoying the decease is Good luck! I you want to talk feel free to message me
 
I'm Becci and I'm 20. I've had type 1 since I was 1 1/2 so It's all I've really known for all my life. Drop me a message if you have any questions or ever just need to talk! Sometimes that's all you need!!!
 
Hi there, can't say I can offer a wealth of experience, as I was only diagnosed three months ago, but I'm 21 so I know what its like to be diagnosed at an age where you feel no one else "gets it". Sadly there's a lot of misconceptions and myths about diabetes out there, and especially at young age you're bound to meet people who don't have a clue. With regards to a routine, what would you say you struggle with most? Do you not like to inject because of pain? Embarassment? Inconvenience? I know it's horrible when you're in a restaurant, or out with mates, and suddenly you have to think about injecting, so I can see why you would prefer to avoid it. Personally, I'm terrible for forgetting my night time (basal) insulin because for the last 21 years I'ver never had to remember to do it! If you forget this one too, maybe try setting an alarm.
With diabetes being such a complex issue I could sit here and write all day with advice, though I'm sure I'd just bore you!! If you have any questions and would prefer to speak to someone in a similar situation, please please feel free to message me, I'll do my best to help otherwise you'll find tons of people on here happy to help too!
 
Thanks for the advice. I think it's more that I don't like doing it i front of people, and I'm always out with friends. The injections themselves aren't that bad, I just don't take them often at all. I'm not going to beat around the bush, I like to smoke a bit of weed and we all know what happens when you smoke that, munchies. Which doesn't help when you already eat and drink loads of sugars and barely take your insulin. It's just so hard at the moment.. I don't really know what to do with myself
 
You're obviously at a low point right now, at that's not abnormal, especially when you're new to it all. There's no point in me telling you not to do weed, you're 17 and I think it'd probably fall on deaf ears!! Maybe try experimenting with low carb foods you still really like. If drinks are an issue, supermarkets offer tons of different sugar free options these days. I know some people say they can really taste the difference in some so its just a case of finding something you like. Might sound weird but I love sugar free jelly too, having some in the fridge is always great if I'm craving something sweet. When you're high you probably don't have much control over what you crave, but it might help to have some sugar free stuff around just in case. Maybe start slow, try working on one meal a day where you always take your insulin and control your sugar levels well. Just doing that might help, and reduce how daunting it is to inject four times a day
 
Hey @Pewdiekry buddy, hope you are feeling better tonight. I'm newly diagnosed myself but all I can say is try and get back on track with your injections and being more careful with what you eat. It doesn't have to change overnight but you need to be thinking more clearly and carefully about what you are consuming on a daily basis.

Taking your insulin is so important because it helps your body function correctly. When I was in the diabetic ward I talked with men in their 50s and 60s who wish they controlled it better from the off rather than ignoring it and now have diabetic complications. I know it's difficult but really important that you start grasping it early on so that you understand it better, feel more confident about yourself and avoid further complications later in life.

Keep going buddy
 
To help with ur insulin taking u should order a book from Amazon called carbs and cals and there Is an app as well it helps with carb counting and as every kind of food in the book to help its amazing
 
Hi I don't know how similar we are in age im 20 and was diagnosed when I was 1 and a half.

Firstly I can't stress enough how important taking things seriously are. The complications are serious but for someone like yourself there is still chance to turn it around and lead a happy healthy life with no or little complications as you get older.

I don't remember being diagnosed, I was too young, all I remember was growing up and being different to my friends. Not different in a bad way just I had something they didn't and I think I made it my 7/8 year old mission to teach people. I had a 'hypo box' at school which was amusing when I was having a chocolate biscuit and the other kids were weirdly jealous!

Growing up with it might have been easier than being in your situation of having the freedom before but there have been times I have wanted to and nearly had thrown my meter and injection pen out of a very tall building/into the sea/ under a train. My mom has had to put up with me moaning and crying that all I want is a 'normal life'. I think when you can come to terms with the fact that this is a lifelong thing, you realise how important it is.

I've been in situations where I was making up readings for months to make me look good yet my hba1c was telling otherwise, don't get yourself into that situation, the doctors know! It's great that you have been honest and come forward with this and there are loads of people on here who can help you!

I would agree with xxc.hloexx the carbs and cals book has been a godsend and the app is brilliant for when your out, it has so many foods in it! This definitely helped me so much!!

I've just come out of a rough patch with mine and I'm trying to get my sugars down and take my insulin at all my meals etc and it is working. You need to remember not to let this own you but to own it yourself. If you keep on top of it with injections and stuff it does get easier I promise. And the best feeling is waking up and being in your target range and staying there all Day!!

I'm always available if you need any help just give me a shout! It's nice to have other people who know what your going through!
 
Ive been a type 1 diabetic since a week before my second birthday. I'm now 27. To be honest I still get down at times. I got down really badly around my early twenties. The thing that I found best for me was my friends. Even though I couldn't drink etc as much as them they understood that and helped a massive amount. If I tried to keep up they would tell me that my body couldn't handle it as well. When I woke in the morning they were there to tell me how strong I was. Even though physically they were stronger they always said that they could never do what I've done for the past 20years, that helps a lot! If people can see how strong you are inside! Nothing else matters! They'll be there for you no matter how down you get. Trust me!
 
I feel your pain, and I keep my fingers crossed for you, I can imagine how difficult for you it must be to try to stay "normal", but deep down knowing it's not like that anymore.
If you want to hear some "boring adult lectures", just let me know, but I have a feeling you already know it all very well, so I won't go into this direction. Keep in mind though it's hard to manage diabetes in general for everybody, so don't be too hard on yourself and you might maybe take small steps just for begining?
From my side - also being a newbie to all this, what helped me most in controlling my diabetes and sugars was to get to know more about consequences (mostly about pain, blindness and sexual disabilities), because I most definitely don't want this to happen to me. My way too big imagination and being pessimistic was helpful for once.
 
Hey first of all its really brave of you to say how your feeling! I know exactly what your going through as I do exactly the same as you only I go days without my insulin and live of lucozade which is really bad it really helps if you try and explain to your friends.. and if all else fails speak to another diabetic like myself. I don't have anyone who understands either I'm the only one in my family and none of my friends really understand no matter how much I tell them... bit you defo need to get in to some routine.. have you spoken to your diabetic nurse? The only reason I'm saying how important it is .. is because I've had this since I was 7 and i still really struggle more than ever actually and i honestly think if you were to speak to someone who actually understands what your going through as you don't want it to drag you down x
 
Hi, I was diagnosed Sep 2013, and I'm in the exact same situation, the things that are now pushing me to try harder is the nightmare side effects of high sugars! But I know where you're coming from, it's super difficult to get the motivation to do the shots so often. I really hope you get things under control, if you'd like to talk to someone in the same position, id be happy to, I'm 22 now, diagnosed before my final year of uni so if you need advice for that sort of thing, I'd be happy to help. Good luck!
 
Hey man. I was diagnosed when I was 17. I went out drinking, I smoked weed and partied a lot. My friends did not understand diabetes. They just picked up the pieces when I went hypo. I didn't understand my condition and to tell the truth I didn't want to know. I was in denial and wanted to be normal. It takes time and effort to get it right. I stopped smoking weed after about 15 years of being diabetic and realised it had been having a massive effect on my eating habits. I've had it for 20 years now and have a fairly decent control over it but still have times when I just want to cry about it. It does get easier as time goes on. Research it, but take your time doing that. Don't overload your brain with to much. The only people that can understand are other diabetics. Dr's can talk about hypos all day but will never understand until they've experienced one. Take advantage of all these people offering support and help. They can offer things I wish I had when I was in your shoes. I've been where you are now. I've had lows I hope you never have but I'm bigger and stronger than ever. If you need advice, want to ask a question or just want to chat just give me a shout. I'm more than happy to help.
 
Hi Pewdiekry, i have been a diabetic for 40 years, i was 11 years old when i got it...i have two healthy children as well, you really must keep up to date with your injections as life is for the living and you most certainly can live with diabetes...i have my off days too but you will soon over come them. good luck
 
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